Holiday Train Show Gets Rolling At New York Botanical Garden

The Holiday Train Show is rolling at the New York Botanical Garden. (Credit: CBS 2)

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The annual Holiday Train Show has opened at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

As CBS 2’s Chris Wragge reported Tuesday, whether it’s your first visit or a family tradition, organizers said this year’s display has something to excite and delight everyone.

The show is in its 21st year as a treat for both big and small, from near and far.

“We get a lot of visitors — over 100,000 visitors a year — just for the Holiday Train Show alone,” said Botanical Garden Director of Public Relations Nick Leshi. “It’s really a wonderful destination.”

The show is a combination of model trains running through hundreds of feet of track. Organizers have also set up replicas of New York landmarks made out of natural materials such as bark, twigs, stones and berries.

Every year, there is something new.

“This year, we have Macy’s flagship store, right at the entrance as people come in,” Leshi said. “It’s really this big monumental piece of work.”

The replica stands 4 feet tall.

The Layman family comes from Colorado to see the train show every year.

“We are in town visiting my dad for Thanksgiving, and we came to the train show today because the kids always love it,” said Tamara Layman. “It’s just a special thing for us to do at Thanksgiving time.”

“It’s exciting to do, and it’s fun,” said son Saul Layman.

Others agreed.

“It’s a beautiful place,” said Joseph Calomino of New York City.

“It’s the creativity and the imagination to replicate all these famous buildings and historic landmarks of New York, with the trains running through,” added Rosalie Shields of New York.

Two brothers, Ryan and Nathan Daly, said they came from California to see the train show. While little brother Nathan liked Thomas the Tank Engine, big brother Ryan was a fan of the model of Yankee Stadium.

And all agreed that the Holiday Train Show is simply magical.

“It’s unique,” said Botanical Garden employee Charles Booker. “It’s something you don’t get a chance to see and there’s no stress, there’s no stress here.”

The Holiday Train Show runs through Jan. 13 at the Botanical Garden, at 2900 Southern Blvd. in Bronx Park. All-Garden Pass tickets for the show start at $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 2 to 12.

Will you be going to the Holiday Train Show this year? Leave your comments below…